Portugal Approves the Use of Marijuana-Based Medicines

Doctors in Portugal will soon be able to prescribe medical marijuana for patients. The prescriptions can only be filled at pharmacies, and patients will not be permitted to grow.

Several conditions including chronic pain, cancer and PTSD are on the list of qualifying conditions, the Portuguese American Journal reports. The new law is expected to go into effect in July.

Portugal decriminalized marijuana possession in 2001, along with all other drugs. Decriminalization laws resulted in Portugal having one of the lowest drug use rates for marijuana and heroin in Europe.

Miguel Guimaraes, the head of the Doctor’s Association, said, “Portugal can have an excellent opportunity here for clinical trials since we already have two instances where plantations have been authorized. It is an extremely promising area at an international level.”